Can An Auto Mechanic Afford Rent in Medford, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 73.2% of gross income.
Medford rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts state estimate).
About rent and an auto mechanic salary
Auto mechanic pay covers comfortable rent in most lower- and mid-cost US metros and stretches thin in the highest-cost ones. Master techs and dealership flat-rate techs often earn well above the BLS figure, which expands affordability further. At the national-average mechanic salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,282 a month in rent. The per-city pages show which markets stay in range.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Medford, which improves the affordability math on an auto mechanic salary:
Compare with full rent data for Medford
View full rent data for Medford, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can an auto mechanic afford rent in Medford, MA?
Median rent in Medford is $3,626 a month. A typical auto mechanic in Massachusetts earns about $59,473 a year, which makes that rent 73.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can an auto mechanic afford in Medford?
Using the 30% rule, an auto mechanic salary in Massachusetts (~$59,473/yr) supports up to $1,487 a month in rent. Medford's current median rent is $3,626/mo, which is $2,139/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does an auto mechanic work to cover rent in Medford?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, an auto mechanic in Massachusetts works roughly 126.8 hours a month to cover Medford's median rent of $3,626.
Where is rent cheaper than Medford for an auto mechanic?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Needham ($3,608/mo), Needham ($3,593/mo), Hingham ($3,592/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on an auto mechanic salary.